Henman at 30 vows his best tennis is yet to come

HOUSTON, United States (AFP) - Tim Henman says his best is yet to come.
At a time when larger and younger men are dominating the ATP Tour, the 30-year-old Englishman has managed a career-best, year-end ranking of sixth and his best Grand Slam year even though he was unable to win a title in 2004.
"It has been a really positive year. I have made some big breakthroughs in the Grand Slams," Henman said. "But I still look back at the year and see a lot of areas where I can do better."
Henman's season ended here Friday with a loss to Russia's Marat Safin at the ATP Masters Cup.
He lacks a Grand Slam title, but this year Henman made his first US and French Open semi-finals and his eighth trip to the Wimbledon quarter-finals in nine years.
"I've just had my best year," Henman said. "But I still think I can do it better. If I do that, then who knows? Can I then be in one of those top four? I don't know. But I really want to challenge myself to do that."
Henman admits the final judgement upon his career will depend on whether or not he manages to capture a Wimbledon crown, but breakthrough runs at two other Slams bring confidence.
"It doesn't disappoint me. It doesn't frustrate me. That's fact, isn't it? That's something that I've always been judged by. I've never hidden behind the fact that I'll be judged on whether I win Wimbledon or not. I'm sure if I don't win Wimbledon then that's what will stick in a lot of people's minds," he said.
"Do I think that's right? Do I think that's fair? Probably not. But that's out of my control. It's not really the way I'm going to approach trying to improve my career."
Reaching the French Open semis was Henman's proudest feat this year.
"I couldn't have been more disappointed in my performances outside of Wimbledon because I had never been past the 16s and never been past the third round in Paris," Henman said.
"I've made some big breakthroughs. I still think I can play better. I can play more consistently. That's the challenge."
Henman's most prized victory of the year came over Frenchman Michael Llodra to put him into the Roland Garros quarter-finals.
"It wasn't the best match that I played. I did a lot of things wrong," he said. "But to be able to turn that around and break a trend of losing some pretty tight matches in Slams and save match point, that was one I took a lot of satisfaction of coming through."
Improved discipline is Henman's major target for 2005.
"That has been a dictating factor throughout the year," Henman said. "When I've played well I've been very disciplined in each and every point. I still think over the course of the year, I can do that much, much better.
"That's sort of motivating, pretty exciting, because there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that I can play better next year."

11/20/2004 - 15:36 GMT - AFP